This heat wave is a relatively short event where the heat comes with a southerly wind ― and dust ― from Africa's Sahara Desert, in contrast of the big European heat waves of 2003 and 2010 which lasted much longer and were sustained by a stationary high pressure system with little wind, experts say.

An aerial view showing people enjoying a sunny and hot day at a lake in Haltern am See, Germany, 24 July 2019. Germany experience a heat wave with temperatures up to 40 degrees Celsius. /EPA

An aerial view showing people enjoying a sunny and hot day at the public outdoor pool 'Grugabad' in Essen, Germany, 24 July 2019. Germany experience a heat wave with temperatures up to 40 degrees Celsius. /EPA

This heat wave is a relatively short event where the heat comes with a southerly wind ― and dust ― from Africa's Sahara Desert, in contrast of the big European heat waves of 2003 and 2010 which lasted much longer and were sustained by a stationary high pressure system with little wind, experts say.

An aerial view showing people enjoying a sunny and hot day at a lake in Haltern am See, Germany, 24 July 2019. Germany experience a heat wave with temperatures up to 40 degrees Celsius. /EPA

An aerial view showing people enjoying a sunny and hot day at the public outdoor pool 'Grugabad' in Essen, Germany, 24 July 2019. Germany experience a heat wave with temperatures up to 40 degrees Celsius. /EPA